Elon defeats Campbell 83-82

Elon Edges Campbell in Thrilling Conference Showdown

In a back-and-forth battle that saw both teams make late-game heroics, Elon University edged out visiting Campbell University 83-82 on Monday night at the Schar Center.

The Phoenix trailed by six points at halftime, but Chandler Cuthrell sparked an impressive comeback, scoring 10 of his 20 points in the second half to lead his team within one point with just over a minute remaining. However, DJ Smith responded for Campbell, hitting two clutch free throws to put his team back ahead.

The tension mounted as both teams fought for every last point. Cuthrell's three-pointer at the buzzer was not enough to secure the win, as Smith made sure to seal the victory with another pair of free throws.

Key Performances

Chandler Cuthrell led Elon in scoring and rebounding, and Randall Pettus II chipped in with 17 points and four assists. Kacper Klaczek added 20 points, seven rebounds, and three steals.

DJ Smith paced Campbell with 32 points, including seven from behind the arc. Dovydas Butka contributed nine points and six assists off the bench.

Game Highlights

Elon's strong second-half performance was fueled by its ability to contain Campbell's outside shooting threat. The Phoenix forced the Tartans into just 6-of-19 three-point attempts in the second half.

Campbell, meanwhile, relied heavily on Smith's scoring prowess, but the visiting team struggled from the free throw line, converting just 12 of their 17 attempts compared to Elon's 4-for-10.

Advanced Stats

Elon's efficient shooting (63.7 eFG%) and strong rebounding (25.7 OREB%) helped propel its comeback. The Phoenix also limited Campbell's fast break opportunities, holding them to just 13 points in the second half.

Campbell, on the other hand, struggled with its three-point shooting (46% in the first half, 40% overall), but made up for it with its free throw efficiency.

Context

This was a crucial conference matchup between two teams vying for playoff positioning. Elon's victory moved them into a tie for second place in the league, while Campbell fell to third.

The win marked a significant statement from the Phoenix, who have been a consistent contender throughout the season.